Does CJ need to get Rask a start coming up, or do we feel Thomas can carry the full load of what could potentially be another long series?

No doubt in my mind Thomas is the man, but there's a voice in the back of my head that thinks Rask should get a surprise start early in the series.

a) Thomas could use the break. He may say he's fine physically, but these long series are a mental grind.

b) A Rask start does not mean an automatic loss. Goalie depth is a strength of the Bruins, but it's not worth a pile of beans if they don't use that advantage. Rask would be up to exact some revenge on the Flyers.

c) Throws off any gameplaning Philly might have done, if ever slightly.

We've seen some goalie changes in the other series. Granted, most were performance-related. I'd like to see Rask get the surprise nod in Game #2, and come right back with Thomas for the rest regardless of the Game 2 outcome.

Thomas can carry the team IF the team shows up (which they didnt do in a few of the Habs games). Also, the Flyers are a completely different team than the Habs. Shouldnt be penalty issues like with the Habs and Boston showed during the regular season they could beat them going 3-0-1 with the only loss being a 2-1 OT. Philly had trouble with Buffalo and the Sabers SHOULD HAVE beaten them. BRING ON THE FLYERS!

Thomas gets three days between games now, and another three days between games 1 and 2. I don't want him playing one game in a week during the playoffs. His pattern has been that he's at his best when he's burning hot and playing a lot. You can't really "rest" him and expect him to play at that top level. Rest him when he burns out and hope that that isn't game 7. Better yet, catch him on the verge of burnout in game 6 and start Rask so that if it doesn't work, you have a fresher TT for game 7.

I thought this would be another "trade Rask becuase the Bs have Thomas n Khudobin" thread. I agree with DaysofOrr whole heartdly Mr. Clean was born yesterday not last night :sarcasm: (easy Julien supporters easy just kidding)...

If I were to see Tuukka in net at anytime during this series I would have just as much confidence in the Bruins winning. I don't or haven's seen burnout yet from TT but wouldn't have a problem with him sitting a game but I don't see it in this series.

Interesting. I read the thread title and had "are you nuts" on my finger tips. I get where you are coming from. TT plays such an intense mental game he can burn out. Keeping him fresh is kinda important. But, the schedule doesn't help this. Lots of time off now, and any later than game three is not the time to rest anybody. Maybe in the third round?

Interesting. I read the thread title and had "are you nuts" on my finger tips. I get where you are coming from. TT plays such an intense mental game he can burn out. Keeping him fresh is kinda important. But, the schedule doesn't help this. Lots of time off now, and any later than game three is not the time to rest anybody. Maybe in the third round? Posted by scooter244

Exactly. I have not, nor will I ever, think Rask is a better play than Thomas. Just like Schneider isn't a better play than BobbyLuo. But sometimes these games catch up to you and I guarantee we'll all be here talking after a sub-par performance from Thomas and be thinking, "Man, he looked tired". Then CJ will play Rask the NEXT game...thus affecting 2 games instead of 1.

Just wondering if they'll ever get ahead of the curve...but agreed the schedule is loose and shouldn't be a problem anytime soon.

asmaha, I wouldn't add "nor will I ever". I think there's a real chance for Rask to compete for and win the starting job as early as next year - maybe not out of the gate, but at some point in the year. And I say that taking nothing away from TT.

Rask didn't have a good year, a soph slump at best, but he's clearly got the talent to be a really good goaltender at this level for a long time, and if he continues to develop, I think he will outperform Thomas in the near future.

Does CJ need to get Rask a start coming up, or do we feel Thomas can carry the full load of what could potentially be another long series? No doubt in my mind Thomas is the man, but there's a voice in the back of my head that thinks Rask should get a surprise start early in the series. a) Thomas could use the break. He may say he's fine physically, but these long series are a mental grind. b) A Rask start does not mean an automatic loss. Goalie depth is a strength of the Bruins, but it's not worth a pile of beans if they don't use that advantage. Rask would be up to exact some revenge on the Flyers. c) Throws off any gameplaning Philly might have done, if ever slightly. We've seen some goalie changes in the other series. Granted, most were performance-related. I'd like to see Rask get the surprise nod in Game #2, and come right back with Thomas for the rest regardless of the Game 2 outcome. Is this crazy, or crazy like a fox? Posted by asmaha

This is a reasonable question. I thought Rask was wearing down against Philly and thought a TT start in G5 or 6 was worth the possible loss.

However, Rask simply hasnt played enough lately to take the chance with the series 0-0. TT was rested extensively down the stretch, and played less than most of the contenders' goalies. He should be physically ready for Round 2.

If he reverts to Bad Timmy, I would definitely find a spot to rest him and get Rask a little work. If not, I say don't bring in the rusty guy. Look at the goaltender/defensman exchange problems Vancouver had when they gave Luongo Game 6 off. The B's have enough trouble with that without bringing in a guy who hasnt played in weeks. Look at how Rask played when Claude had buried him at midseason... took him several games to shake the rust.

I think it's crazy. I don't recall a team resting a goalie that just won a a aeven game series with three overtime victories. Also while he was bad at the beginning of the series he got better and better as the series went along. Timmy is on the upswing so why kill his momentum. The regular season is the time for goalie tandums. The playoffs are about riding the big dogs until they screw up or drop and the big time goalies wouldn't want it any other way. So l say you ride Thomas until he gives you a reason to do otherwise and right now there is no reason.